------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Kougansharde
concept: The Mammalian Serpent of the Bakitau Caves
This rare serpent lives under the earth in the northernmost reaches of the ancient world, and is still believed to be alive today. The cold blooded creature has evolved through the years to develop a massive, and beautiful, mane for the regulation of temperature within its body. Records that have been written of its sightings describe the creature as gentle, in contrary to common belief, and found usually coiled up in the comfort of the subterranean caves in which it dwells.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: TomCardin
concept:
Deep scan scope 1...Radiations detected deep within the atmosphere of Jupiter. We're at quite a lot of magnification tracing the wind patterns via the movement of luminous jovian cloud fronds and came across this hairy beauty. It appears to be feeding on the fronds and gaining some of their bioluminescence. Hard to estimate the size of this creature as its entire form is lost in the darkness, but the portion we can see is several kilometers across, based on the established size of the fronds.
We're going to bring one of the bigger scopes on line to grab a better shot of this, expect a larger more detailed image to be uploaded on the next revolution...some of the boys here at the station have already dubbed this creature a Jovian Light Dancer and we're all quite taken with its beauty. It seems to be made up of thousands of tentacle-like hairs and the large round glowing organ is still a mystery. We would also like to put in an early request to get some time on the Piers Macroscope to get a better image of our discovery.
Image downloaded:
You boys up there are really on to something special. We just recieved the shot from the Deep Thermal Imaging Scanner and everyone here is going nuts for this "Jovian Light Dancer" of yours. The boys down in the biology annex are figuring that that lovely glowing eye is actually its stomach where it is digesting the heavier luminous elements of the fronds. The best news for you guys though is we have your approval right here to pull the Piers Macroscope off line of its deep sky imaging for several hours during your next shift. We can't wait to see the detail and resolution that will get you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Greenjack
concept: The Spearsack
Christened, somewhat ironically perhaps, by early settlers as a "Hairy Beauty", the Spearsack is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of h-1, a cloud covered planet in the 26 Draconus A system.
The Spearsack is generally sluggish and docile, and may remain 'rooted' in a single position for days, weeks, or even months. Only occasionally can one of it's spear tipped tentacles be seen flashing into the water, emerging carrying one of the many fish or crustacean species that inhabit the shallow pools of the forest. These are deposited in the goblet shaped 'sack' upon the creature’s back, where they begin the slow process of decomposition.
It is thought that the name 'Hairy Beauty' originates from the creatures habit of staring, seemingly at it's own reflection, for many hours and the thick coating of tree moss that grows on it's back due to it's prolonged inactivity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Subluminated
concept:
This creature makes its home in subterranean environments. Its hairy body protects it from cold climates and allows it to feel out prey. It moves in a similar way to a caterpillar although it is full grown. It preys on smaller critters by attracting them with the luminous sac/membrane at the end of its body and strikes using piercers on is arms which are laced with a powerful neurotoxin. Local natives often seek out these creatures and harvest them for their luminous glands and poison sacs. Their brightly colored carapaces are valued as ornaments in jewelery.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Soulweaver
concept:
Long have there been reports of a beautiful, red-robed woman living in the treetops of Tia Del Maro's forests. A witch, they say. These sightings are regularly dismissed by level-headed folks as drunken visions, or the imaginings of men away from civilization too long. But science now has an explanation, with the discovery of the sloth-like maroo.
Male maroos are wanderers, while females have permanent territories spanning several dozen acres. To attract mates, females produce a "perfume", a musk that literally makes them more attractive to the opposite sex. The musk has mild hallucinogenic properties, derived from a mixture of plants the maroo feeds on. This substance has a potent psychological effect on males, not only of the maroo's own species, but other species as well!
With this in mind, it is then not surprising that the portly maroo might appear quite beautiful to an intoxicated man, and its gliding membrane mistaken for a grand cloak.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: shaoshao
concept:
A beautiful and bashful creature, the Saetervus was almost hunted to extinction for its distinctive thick and luxurious furs. The young are born black and grow into their unique yellow gold fur as they age. Today, under the protection of the People for the preservation of the Saetervus, who began to retell the old tales of the creature and the good luck they bring, the animals have returned to prominence with a keener eye for distinguishing the danger from their human neighbors.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: mattbyng
concept:
The Mollygoogaa Spectacle, or better known as the 'Hairy Beauty', is a bird-like creature covered in thick hair. It comes "built" with a long strong beak, 2 front limbs, large wings and two bird-like legs. This beautiful specimen of a creature is found mostly in rain forests where it thrives on insects, the plant-life and vegetation.

artist: Fozzybar
concept: Bride Of The Deep
This recently discovered deep sea squid is a freak of nature, but the most beautiful freak of nature we know. With its white color and webs it looks like a bride in front of the altar, its moves are elegant and smooth just as alluring as her overall appearance. Oddly this squid has even long hair like a cliche bride.
Usually squids have 8 tentacles plus 2 longer tentacles to catch their prey. The Deep Sea Bride has only 4 tentacles. Scientists assume that the other tentacles went through some incredible evolutionary progress:
The hair is the result of genetical mutation from the other 4 usual tentacles, they ended up in highly toxic hair or nettles. They can't control the mutated nettles/tentacles though, so we can speak more of hair in this case. It is assumed that the hair works as a protection of the vulnerable and soft head/torso.
The 2 long tentacles of usual squids which are used to attack prey are grown together during evolution and mutated to a hard long lance like sting. This now is the Deep Sea Brides primary attack tool. A cannula inside is used to pump poison into the preys body and also to exhaust the victim.
So the Brides beauty is only topped by its deadliness. You see, not all brides are innocent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Gorgoth of Suburbia
concept: Deer King
The deer king (named so because of its characteristic mane) doesn't really stand out from the crowd when compared to many other mammals. some may even find its facial features to be odd or even downright ugly. It is however said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and the deer king is a very good example of just that. Those who actually have seen this creature with their own eyes claim that it can see into your very soul.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Wasker
concept: Smoochie pop
Prey: Forgotten chocolate chip cookies.
Known sounds: Cookies! *munch munch
Behaviour: Robs Barbies of their high heels in all kinds of color (can't be picky when you're a beast). Curls up to a ball when trod on.
Enemies: All kinds of lice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: redehlert
concept:
Living among hallucinogenic mushrooms are interesting creatures that engross you with their...ahem...beauty. Weilands sense when a shroomer has ingested a magic mushroom. As the trippin' daisy stoops down to get another cap, they get locked in to the mesmerizing gaze of the Weilands. This creature then sends mental images of beauty with the aide of the shrooms to seduce and overtake the unfortunate, drooling victim. The victims are used for consumption and for compost.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Grendel Grack
concept:
Originally domesticated thousands of years ago by nomadic tribes throughout the cold nether regions of the far north, the "Hairy Beauty" was used for warmth and as a source of wool. Their large padded feet protect the animal from the frozen ground in winter. The coat, consiting of several layers of densly packed fine hair, provides insulation agains the most extreme temperatures. During the winter months when food was scarce, the "Hairy Beauty" was often brought inside the homes of people in order to add warmth and companionship.
As the cultures who prized this animal advanced and settled into a more agriculturally based subsistence, the animal gradually became a status symbol. Because the Hairy Beauty requires open land in which to forage and also consumes large quantites of vegetable matter and grains, it has developed into a status symbol for royalty and the elite. It is now kept exclusively as a pet and is often adorned with bangles and other ornaments. Grooming the "Hairy Beauty" also requires great skill and a considerable amount of time. Those who can afford it, hire only the most qualified and experienced grooms to tend their animals. Because of their gentle disposition, the "Hairy Beauty" is a much loved and sought after addition to the royal families of the region. Special breeders are only alowed to propogate this species and any caught illegally possessing the animals are punished under strict laws or in extreme cases, death.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Ernie82
concept: The Firetail
These carnivores living in the steppe in southern Umek have approximately the size of a cheetah but are longer due to their long necks and tails. Their hunting success depends largely on their fastness and an injury slowing a firetail usually means starving to death. That is the reason why male firetails don&#180;t fight earnestly for the females. Instaed they use their longhaired richly colored tails to attract females. The males lay on the ground, then they raise back and their tail. They wave their tails, stretch their heads back and give a moaning sound.
The sultan of Umek keeps some tamed firetails. They are trained for hunting. When they are not gone hunting they walk freely through the gardens of the sultans palace.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: paradoxba
concept:
This type of snake lives in deep forests so it very hard to be described properly and the ones that had the chance to see it didn't live to tell the story.His head has mimiked a beautiful womans face and the hair is there to hide the true face.It waits behind trees showing it head.People are attracted by the strong smell that comes from the tail and by the laugh that comes from the air sacks behind the jaw.When they come to close the true face is revealed.
They change the face and the hair once in 4 years.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: chaosrocks
concept:
The fire moths of deep tropical jungle, rarely seen and due to their glowing the dark properties, much in demand for ladies hats. subsisting on dew and nectar they inhabit the deepest understory and glow only when in search of a mate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: ahbeejieh
concept:
Set right at that time wherein the dinosaurs are evolving into a new kind of species that we know now as birds. Most of the dinosaurs started to grow feathers...
But a few of them actually started growing hair or fur much like the mammals that they preyed on.
The special group evolved into funky new creatures called the "Tree Transforming Shaggysaurs".
The hard surface of their scales started chipping off and revealed skin underneath that can grow hair. Their upper body in particular grew the longest, thickest and densest hair. The hair that grew on Tree Transforming Shaggysaurs aren't just normal hair or fur found in most mammals... The creatures can actually stiffen them up at will. And with that comes a special function for the hair.
With it's tail, used for balance while running, gone, it can't pursue prey anymore coz it loses it's balance easily. It has also lost it's upper limbs in the transformation too and must rely on lower limbs to immobilize prey. It relies on stealth to get it's prey... First it stands on one leg, making that part of the body look like a tree trunk, and anchors the other leg on another tree around it for support. Then it ducks it's head, stiffen's up the hair on it's upper body and expands it's chest, slowly hiding it's head out of view. At this point the creature is blended in and appears to be just another tree. When an unaware prey lingers near, it snaps the raised leg down to catch it.
The last thing the prey of these creatures see is a huge tree coming down on them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Evui
concept:
This elusive noctunal creature uses the bioluminescent lures on its head to trick and capture fish by imitating the favorite food of many of the creatures of the sea- simply named the "glowfish". Their long waterproof fur coats protect them from the chill of the water and their sleek frames make them very efficient hunters. These creatures are nicknamed the Luminescent Fishers by many fishermen in the areas- their catches are usually more abundant than the men. They stand gracefully in the night and whoever is lucky enough to see them are awed by their beauty.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: rafaeljm
concept:
This hairy beauty is the "Emerald worm". After primitive life was found in cold Neptune in 2015, humans were amazed when this fox-sized worm was discovered in the icy depths. Sadly, ten years later only a handful exist, as they&#180;ve been hunted for the precious emeralds that grow on their horns, and their fiery eyes which are believed to be lucky charms.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: JakkaS
concept: Hairopus aka Hairy Octopus
THE SUN
01.01.2070
"…all the rage, object of desire for extravagant women and half of the people in the show business, probably will go after it has ruined a New Year party organized by Ambassador Kitto and his wife 5 min before midnight... Meg Raynolds, the pop music superstar, came close to the sea food table and her wig-octopus suddenly woke up (when they have contact with the body temperature they fall into a sleep) and jumped onto the table to catch some shrimps. Few women started to panic, and others passed out... the situation became even worse when some gentlemen (after few… or even more drinks) wanted to help their partners..."
***
These octopusses were found in the year of 2069 near Antarctica. Probably they were hibernating in the ice until then. However, global warming reduced the ice surfaces and a few new species could be discovered by the scientist… and this is one of them.
… They live in the cold waters, feed with fishes and other small organisms they can find in their environment. They are covered with fur which gives them warm and help in mating. Males (usually they are more vivid then their females) lure the females with their colorful fur. The most interesting thing is that rarely there could be found males with the same color, structure and patterns on the fur.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: ikuru
concept:
No one know exactly how old the Yoni is, and no one really knows where it came from or how it got there. But its there in ancient China, protected by the Shaolin monastery and hidden from the “modern” world.
It is said that the monks gather around it to meditate. Only it’s not Meditation in the sense as we know it.
You see once the Meditator has some calm in his mind, the Yoni Takes over and through telepathy it guides the monk in to a sublime state where he is able to experience a clarity and a connection to everything that has been or will be, a pure state beyond the ego, that leaves the monk with nothing but joy.
Legend has it that the Yoni came from the stars some nine thousand years ago to help the people on earth.
Why the monks chose to keep this divine creature in hiding might be to protect it from "modern science”, but it might also be they simply wanted it for themselves.
The Yoni never moves, it just sits there, communicating with the people surrounding it, day and night. It feeds on cosmic energy’s and does not need human food.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------artist: Sapphire
concept:
This tiny, arboreal mammal feeds on the nectar of the silversap tree, which grows in heavy thickets and blooms year-round. The yyrbil is covered with a thick, downy fur to insulate it from the cold of the region, and its color blends well with the foliage of its habitat, which happens to be a silvery lavender gray. The blooms of the tree are a bright blue, and the yyrbil displays two large, false eyes on the horns to either side of its head to confuse a predator that might lunge for it in the thicket. Although it would be advantageous for a prey animal such as this to have eyes on the side of its head, the yyrbil needs stereoscopic vision for quick and accurate leaping.
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meeatu
i looked in your sb. You are much better than this. I don't accept rushed entries

guava
That's not an entry for a weekly activity. It is a rough sketch.

Dan Ramey
too less efforts invested...to much rejection power invoked

close to rejection:

Hyptosis
it's a plant...A PLANT!!!! *jumps on Hyptosis neck and chokes*...still you invested much time in it as i can see, so THIS time you had a go, next time i will take my hedge shears with me...

chaosrocks
hmmm...i blame the wrong paper, but still the hairy part was not that visible, but my mighty knowledge about moths let me think that yours was as hairy as any other moth still, you need to add more details to your entries and maybe use (a lot) thinner brushes, so you won't rape the shapes and forms with big color areas. ok?

special note:

mattbyng
you really have to improve your skills. it is hard for me to give your entries a go, because i never know if your skills or the time you invested are making it hard to pass the qa but hey, it was your topic, so this time i didn't think twice about it

Grendel Grack
i need an image url for your entry...attached images don't work for the poll!

paradoxba
I hate taking entries with human faces to the poll...but your creature actually has only a pattern which reminds of them...still i hate it...HUAARRRGH!!!

OK I Voted Redehlert, cuz your entry is so fucking cool.
My seccond choice would be that white thing the fozzzy did.
More on this later as things develope. now time 4 food, since I did not have time for it today.

Oh wait, thats me. This is like the first COW I've missed in what, like ten years? Been a busy week I guess.

I voted for Jakkas. At first, I wasn't going to, because it was just a wig, but when Jakkas can take "just a wig" and turn it into "awesome" like that, it deserves the vote. Plus, his entry is the one that really make me imagine their ecology, their life cycle... subspecies... are there mullet octopi? Short on top and long on one side? Are the baby octopuses used as toupees? Do they like being combed? Do hair dryers piss them off? Does conditioner make them feel more full, bouncy and shiny?

My vote went to JakkaS with Soulweaver as a close second. And if anyone didn't get my old commentary from the closed thread:

Kougansharde- Lookin' really good. I like the mysetical feel of the creature and the person on its belly. The shadow on it cast from the head looks a bit strange though, it may be too strong, but it also could just be me.

meetau- the creature is cool looking but I think it needs more definition, it looks too blurred. Also, there should be more of a creature, and I cannot tell whether that is a mouth or more hair.

BohemianChaos- I know it is not finished yet, but I think you should use more shadowing and hightlights. Making brushes helps alot with textures as well, but it is a good start. Make the creature look more unique as well, it looks as if it exists already.

TomCardin- It looks good, I love how you rendered the hair and the pearls are pretty! The creature looks like a mess of hair and a mouth...but it is nice looking.

longshao- Oooh I can't wait to see this finished!!! I love the fur so far and your mountains are always gorgeous.

Greenjack Your creature doesn't have much hair and it could use more work...the hair on the tentacles (or vegetation?) seems like an afterthought.

WoodlandWalker Hahah I like your creature. I like the colors and the concpet. The rendering looks a little rushed and blurred in some places, but other than that, it's cool.

Subluminated- The creature looks great, good start. I hope you finish!

Soulweaver- I love the concept and the creature. It looks great, I especially love the way the light shines through the gliding membrane.

JakkaS- Hahaha this is very different from all the rest, it's definitely very interesting. It makes a great looking wig XD I love the concept as well

Moai- good start so far, I love the skeleton for some reason. Can't wait to see it all done!

Shaoshao- I love this one, the hair looks so good and the face is great. It's definitely fitting to this topic, one of my faves so far. Please finish!

mattbyng- the rendering needs work, it looks rushed and unfinished...I can also see excessive use of the light and burn tool as well...

AyaXiac The creature was lovely before you were made to put all that hair on it ;_; It's still lovely, but the hair is too sloppy and distracting. It's the hair that is scratched in the opposite direction that it is making it look messy.

Fozzybar- I love your creature, it's so pretty. I just wish there was more definition in the hairy part of it. I love the glow around the creature, it just defines how beautiful it is ^^

Gorgoth- It's a good creature, but the rendering could use some more work. I love the eyes and the pose.

Wasker-hahaha it's so funny! I like its face and the lips. Some areas like the top of the creature and the background could use more work though.

Hyptosis- I love the creature's design, it's really awesome. The hair could be more defined but other than that, I like it.

Larkin2- I like the idea of the creature, it's cute. The hair rendering seems blurred though, you should detail it more.

amuletts- Wow what a cool creature! I love the style you did this in, it's cool.

redhelert- I like the rendering of the skin and the creature is cool. Its eyes make me laugh. The only thing is that the lineart is a bit distracting, being that it is only in certain places, especially on the bottom of the tentacles.

scorge- Wow, it's pretty cool. I like the skeleton comparision alot XD. The background could use a bit of work though.

Grendel- The creature looks majestic but the background doesn't do it justice. It looks like it was cut and pasted onto the background. Also I wish its hind foot wasn't slanted like that.

Ernie- It's a cool creature, very simple design besides the tail. It could use more highlights and shadow.

Sapphire- Heh your cretaure looks cool. It reminds me of royalty.

Ikuru- Heh, the eyes look so comical, yet peaaeful. I like the way you render hair. Good job ^^

Chaos- I wish you had a better photograph..i like the colors though..

khe- I love the fur on that thing, it's pretty cool. I wonder why it has no concept though...

ahbejieeh- I love it!! The concept and the design is really cool, almost got mah vote ^^

rafaeljm- It's really awesome, I like the style of the creature and the hair looks really good. Nice texture as well.

I voted for Soulweaver. You have a very interesting concept and I really like the effect of the light shining through the membrane. The expression is very entertaining as well. She seems to be saying "here I am, I am beautiful and everyone knows it."

Sapphire, longshao, ikuru
oh man...i am soooo SORRY!!! I just noticed that i closed the thread too early...i thought the official deadline was sunday...but it was monday....now that explains why so many of you were asking for last minute entries....It is totally my fault....sorry guys and gals...i am stupid

Evui, thanks for thoes comments, as you can see I made the eyes better now, so its no longer just a potato head with pasted on eyes, I made the highlight more in to a spiral to show the hypnotic powers this sucker got. also if you look to the right you can see the monks geting "instant enlightment".

Evui: It's so good of you to take the time to comment on everyone's entries. Thank you very much.

scorge: Thanks. I know it's rather cute... I was thinking beauty in the way that a persian cat is beautiful... but still really cute. (Well, that is, if you like persians. Personally those really snubby-faced ones aren't really that attractive.)

longshao: Yours reminds me of something you might see in Star Wars... like on Hoth or something. I love it, very detailed... only thing I might like to see are some more shadows on the far horn and maybe on the baby.

EDIT: khe ta got my vote. I was just struck by how pretty the creature was, and I thought, even though there were many very well-rendered entries, that theirs fit the bill the most for me.

Fozzy got my vote, really love the colour and natural beauty of the creature. It is clear a great deal of pride and effort went into the thought of this creature.
I thing though, I would have liked to have seen more hair, but hey it still gets my vote